Chapter 141
Galwark kingdom Royal castle. Rio-tachi had boarded Liselotte’s magic ship which was about to leave Rodania, the territory of marquis Rodan in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, the hero, Sakata Hiroaki was attending a tea party held by Lizzet Gregory―― Daughter of duke Gregory, one of the great nobles of Galwark kingdom.
The participants of that tea party was naturally Lizzet, her circle of friends, Hiroaki who was invited as the main guest, Flora who became his fiancee just a few days ago and Roana Fontaine who had come as their attendant. In short, Hiroaki was the sole male participant. When the tea party began after the standard greetings――、
「I heard about that news. About Hiroaki-sama getting engaged to Flora-sama. Congratulations.」
Lizzet Gregory offered her congratulations to Flora and Hiroaki. Thereupon, the other noble girls also said 「Congratulations」 after her.
「Ah. T-Thank you I guess.」
Hiroaki scratched his head slightly embarrassed though it did not look like he hated it. Flora on the other hand bowed elegantly in response to their words.
「It must be wonderful for you to get the status as the legal wife of the hero. I have no doubt that Flora-sama’s name will go down in the annals of history, don’t you think so? How wonderful it must be.」
Lizzet was giving empty praises to Flora and Hiroaki. Then,
「But, well, I hate the expression such as concubine and legal wife you see.」
Hiroaki shook his head in a pompous way.
「Oh my, why do you feel that way I wonder? 」
Lizzet asked that question with an extremely interested face.
「I mean, it means that I have put an order of importance to my women right? I wish for equality and won’t bind them by a number. Those kinds of rules, social positions and such things are troublesome you see. It’s suffocating and unbearable for me.」[Bru: as if he knows about what he is talking about. This guy…][TL : Poor Lyle]
「Well. Does that mean that the women who marry Hiroaki-sama can enjoy equal treatment? A philanthropist aren’t you?」
「Uhm, well it should be slightly different from a Philanthropist. I just hate rules that will bind my freedom. The bad relationship between the legal wife and the second wife is a common occurence in the house of royalties and great nobilities right? I hate such things you see. Making a faction within and fighting for the attention of their husband. And in the end, it’s the outsiders who suffer from it, or should I say their husbands will be the one to suffer from it.」
And thus, after Hiroaki had made a long speech regarding how he hated such troublesome situations――、
「I see. This humble one has finally grasped a bit of Hiroaki-sama’s disposition.」
Lizzet smiled like a flower in full bloom as she told Hiroaki.
「Hou. I’m interested in your opinion about me.」
Hiroaki flashed a daring smile as he looked at such a Lizzet.
「Fufufufu. Even so, since it’ll be embarrassing for me if it turns out that I’m wrong, I want to know a bit more about Hiroaki-sama. Would you be so kind to tell me more about yourself? 」
Lizzet flashed an embarassed smile and looked at Hiroaki with upturned eyes. And that took Hiroaki’s mood to the seventh heaven. [Bru: imagine him on drugs XD][TL : He’s done for XD]
「Well then I won’t hold back since you have gone to such lengths to prepare this place. I want everyone here to hear about my story.」[Bru: wow…][TL :……]
「The girls at this place would be more than grateful to have that chance. Right? 」
Lizzet was smiling from ear to ear as she looked at the other noble girls in that place. Hearing that, those noble girls nodded slightly, embarrassed.
「Well then, listen to my story.」
The atmosphere did not feel wrong for Hiroaki.
After that, the tea party turned into a lively conversation and ended right before dusk. But then, they decided to hold another tea party three days later as his story was yet to end.
◇ ◇ ◇
Then, after the tea party, Hiroaki-tachi returned to their assigned rooms inside of the castle.
「U-Uhm, Hiroaki-sama.」
Flora called to Hiroaki with a timid voice.
「hn, what’s matter? 」
Hiroaki looked at Flora with a delighted face but――、
「We’re going to Rodania tomorrow, to meet my big sister right? And yet you said that you’ll attend the tea party which will be held three days later……..」
Flora said so while taking a peek at Hiroaki’s face.
They were going to leave the royal capital of Galwark kingdom tomorrow and so returning three days later back to Galwark kingdom’s royal capital was just too tight on their schedule. Though they were yet to know as to what would happen over there. Even If there was nothing there to hinder them from returning three days later, It wasn’t a simple matter for Flora to adjust her schedule. But then, she did not say that due to her meek nature.
「Hn, Ah, you’re right. I see, I just remembered it now.」
Hiroaki nodded as if he had just recalled those matters and scratched his head in an awkward manner.
「J-Just remembered it you say…………」
Flora seemingly hestitated to say something.
It had been a few days since Flora received news about Christina. Though she herself wanted to go to Christina as soon as she heard the news,she couldn’t do so due to Hiroaki’s participation in today’s tea party and she did not want to pour cold water over him. So, she could only hold back her own feelings and wait for the end of today’s tea party.
Naturally though the situation was explained, she hadn’t explained the whole thing in detail as Hiroaki hated being forced like that. But then, as a result, Hiroaki might did not pay attention to these matters. “Should I try to confirm it a bit more?” Flora thought so. At that time――,
「Uhn, should I really go there? It’s true that I heard the talk. I never said that we were going to go together right? 」
Hiroaki asked so, sounding annoyed.
「……Yes. You, are not obliged………… To go.」
Flora spoke softly in a weak tone. Naturally, despite her wanting them to go together, all of this was because she had never said her intentions clearly.
「Since there’s no urgency, your oneesan would be coming to visit us first right? In that case, she’ll meet me. Well, since I know your feeling of wanting to meet your sister, I guess you should go to Rodania. I’ll be okay with Roana here with me.」
After making such an excuse, Hiroaki glanced at Roana who was listening to their conversation in silence.
「……Yes. Please allow me to assist Hiroaki-sama here, Flora-sama.」
Despite the slight hestitation, Roana nodded immediately.
「I…………. Understand. Well then, please help me take care of Hiroaki-sama, Roana.」
Flora said so with a slightly disapointed tone. If she had known that things were going to turn out like this then she would have just gone to met her sister as soon as possible from the very beginning was something she did not say. Thereupon――,
「Oh my………………. Good day.」
They came across the hero of Galwark kingdom, Sumeragi Satsuki on their way back. Though Satsuki was walking in the passage while wiping her perspiration, she stopped to greet them once she saw them.
「Satsuki-sama.」
Flora and Roana bowed respectfully in seeing Satsuki.
On the other hand, when Hiroaki noticed Satsuki――、
「Ah, you. Why are you holding that spear? Are you coming back from your training? 」
He asked so while looking at Satsuki.
「Yeah, so I am.」
Satsuki bowed lightly to him in respect as he was older than her, though the reply was with a stiff tone.
「Fu~hn. Even though you’re a woman, you like to do such troublesome things huh?」
「………….. My apologies, my freedom is limited after all. My body will become dull if I only stayed inside of my room.」
Though Satsuki felt that there another hidden meaning in his words, she ignored it and responded accordingly. Even if both of them knew each other due to their hero status , there was a delicate sense of distance between them as they were nothing more than people from the same country.
「O~h, quite a tomboy aren’t you?」[Bru:…][TL: Suush….]
「So, did you attent another meeting with women today too? It seems I passed them a while ago.」[Bru: Yes! Smack him while you are at it.][TL : Can’t do that]
「Ah. Well, they were swarming around me after all. You might say that this is also one of the jobs of a hero. It’s just as you say, even a hero will tire from moving about like that.」[Bru: weak. And BS]
Hiroaki said so while heaving a sigh.
「All I can see is the fact that you’re enjoying this though………」[Bru: oh snap.]
Satsuki looked at Hiroaki with a puzzled face. Hearing that――,
「Oioi, I’m just a normal youth born and raised in Japan you know? I do have some resistance to building a harem, I do have your average problems too.」[Bru: add delusional before youth…][TL : Yeah…. The author should add “delusional”]
Hiroaki heaved a sigh with a tired face and yet a grin appeared on his face.
「He~…………………」
「Come to think of it, how about you try to learn from the noble girls in this world, you should try to act more lady-like shouldn’t you? I mean it’ll take a lot of effort to be more lady-like. Don’t you know that egoistic women are disliked whether on earth or in this world? 」[Bru: hit him. Smack him!!! Kick his ass!!!]
「Shut up. That’s sexual harassment」[Bru: yes! finally someone tells him to shut up]
Satsuki whispered in a low voice.
「HA~H？ 」
Hiroaki squinted his eyes as if he had noticed something.
「It’s nothing, well thanks for the advice. See you later. You guys too, Flora-san, Roana-san.」
After flashing a sweet smile to Floa and Roana, Satsuki quickly left that place.
Though Flora and Roana saw her off as if fascinated by her――、
「Crap, what’s with this tingling sensation.」[Bru: oh was he hit by bloodlust?]
Hiroaki was the only one who was left wincing from that encounter and looked at the back of Satsuki.
◇ ◇ ◇
And the next day. Flora headed toward Rodania, leaving only Hiroaki and Roana in Galwark kingdom. After giving her formal greetings to king Francois, she left the royal capital along with the escort ships.
After their departure, as Flora had said that she wanted to be alone, she told the captain to inform her when they arrived at Rodania and secluded herself in the room reserved for noble guests――、
「I really am happy to meet my dear sister but……. does it mean that my dear father’s position has worsened? 」
She’s had a weary expression as she thought about her own family.
In the first place, the one who had sent her to escape along with duke Euguno was none other than her father, Phillip the third.
Phillip who had guessed the sudden change of situation, entrusted Flora who had the holy stone to duke Euguno. Though it was publicly announced that duke Euguno took her out from Bertram kingdom along with him―― The aim was to scatter the royalty who held the highest inheritance right for the crown in order to face the worst kind of situation that would rise.
When it came to that, the first in line to inherit the throne was Christina, thus, even someone as clueless as Flora could guess that something had happened to change the situation.
Nevertheless, no, should she say “As expected”, right now she was――,
「Faster, I want to meet oneechan soon.」
Flora wanted to meet Christina as soon as possible. It had been about half a year since the last time she had met her older sister. Flora who loved her older sister more than anyone else, truly cared for her older sister from the bottom of her heart.
「But, I wonder if she’s going to scold me then? 」
Flora muttered with an anxious voice―― About what her sister would do to her when she saw that Flora hadn’t matured at all after separating for half a year.
To be honest, she was a little scared to meet Christina under these conditions. Because she might be disappointed when her older sister sees her being led by her surroundings same as before, unable to do anything, or even just thinking about their kingdom. At that time――,
「Excuse me.」
With a “clank” the door opened along with that frivolous voice.
「Eh？ 」
Flora was taken back and looked at the door. Opening the door of the room where a royalty was staying in without knocking first was considered as more than just a slightly ill-mannered act.
And then, the ones who had entered the room were two men wearing a black robe with a hood to hide their faces.
「W-Who are you? Several knights should be standing on guard in front of my room…….」
Flora asked so with a trembling voice.
「Bodyguard? Are you referring to those useless chaps? 」
When one of men signalled to the other man with his chin――,
「Yes. ………… Here you….. GO.」
The other man carried two fainted knights from outside the room with a dissatisfied face.
「!!!!! ? 」
The surprised Flora stood from her sofa.
「Hahaha. You scared her. Well, is she the princess of Bertram? 」
The man with the frivolous voice laughed happily and asked the man who had carried those knights in.
「Yes, it’s her. Flora Bertram. The second princess.」
The man who had carried those knights in replied with a polite tone.
「I heard she was a beauty but, in the end she is just an inexperienced brat.」
The man with the frivolous voice appraised Flora with such vulgar language.
「Ho~. Isn’t it because many people actually prefer girls of her age? 」
「Hah, she’s way off from my preference.」
Thus, such a conversation unfolding between those two men as if they were completely ignoring Flora’s existence.
「Uuhm,………….」
Flora tried to ask those two people who were releasing such an atmosphere that betrayed the situation with a timid voice. But――,
「Well then, where’s the hero? 」
The man with the vulgar speech then asked the man with polite speech while surveying the room.
「He isn’t around I guess. I also can’t feel the reaction of his divine raiment.」
「CHEH, just when I thought that I was going to get the chance to fight a hero.」
After the man with the polite speech replied, the vulgar man clicked his lips disappointed by the current situation. The two of them completely ignored Flora.
「We cannot help but make such a ruckus, or rather it’s better this way but then……… When I’m with you, it always turns into these kind of situations. You just suddenly appeared and told me that I have a job to do.」
The vulgar man heaved a sigh with a lamenting face.
「It’s because your job was done faster than my expectation. I just came to take a look at your progress as your superior.」
「It’s because you always appear at the most unexpected moments in the most unexpected places. In the first place, it’s already questionable whenever you actually have jurisdiction over me. …….. Ah, come to think of it, I just recalled that I met someone who was looking for you right. And he seems to detest your very existence.」
Thus, when the polite man said so ――、
「Hou…………………」
The vulgar man finally showed an interested expression. Thereupon――,
「U-Uhm！ 」
As expected, Flora who was tired of waiting for them spoke in a much louder voice–For her own standard–To make them to notice her.
「HA~H？ 」
The vulgar man reacted to Flora’s voice with his warmonger face. Thereupon, though Flora’s body trembled in fear――、
「T-The ship crew will come after they hear my voice and notice the abnormal situation you know. N-No, remove your hood.」
She warned the two men with a trembling voice. Hearing that――,
「Fu……………… HAHAHAHAHAHA.」
The vulgar man started laughing as if he found that funny.
「W-Why are you laughing? Do you understand your current situation? 」
So Flora asked him, confused.
「We’re very much aware of the situation. Your highness second princess, Flora Bertram.」
The vulgar man replied with a different tone now.
「I-I’ll scream you know.」
「Oh, feel free to do so. There’s no need to confirm the situation at this kind of time.」
The vulgar man grinned widely as he said so.
「……………..Ah, H…………………..HEeelp! 」
Flora who felt that danger was coming for her shouted to the top of her lungs and yet, she her voice was barely audible. Naturally her scream would still be heard due the open door. And yet, ten seconds later. There were no signs of people approaching the room. Flora gazed anxiously at the opened door and yet, she only saw the two people from before in front of her.
「Do you believe me now, your highness? 」
The vulgar man asked with a polite tone as he approached Flora.
「S-Stop right there.」
Flora sounded as if she was about to cry.
「Why you don’t want me to approach you? Why? Naturally it’s because common people MUST hear your great noble order right? 」
The vulgar man showed an exaggerated curiousity as if mocking Flora.
「T-That’s………… What is your goal in the first place? 」
「Hahaha, quite a slowpoke aren’t you. To kill you of course.」
「To kill……………. Me? 」
Flora could feel that her heart had been beating faster by every passing moment since a while ago but now, she felt as if someone was grabbing her heart.
「Yes. To be exact, we’re going to make it look as if you died from an accident. It saved us a lot of trouble since you voluntarily left the castle. We’ll make as many accidents as possible for our own goal. ………………….. But then, as expected, we’ll be in a precarious situation. We dealt with every patrolling guard all the way to this room without making a ruckus.」
The vulgar man told her about their goal.
「No way………….. Y-You guys. Don’t tell me……………. Everyone in the vessel is? 」
Flora’s face turned pale as soon as she learned the situation.
「Ah, nonono, you got it wrong. We have left some of them alive. The operator of this magic ship has met their maker. Moreover, without anyone left to operate the magic ship, the other magic ships will soon notice the abnormal situation right? Nevertheless, don’t worry about them, they’re going to die soon anyway.」
Thus, the vulgar man replied clearly. Thereupon――,
「Can we finish this already? 」
The other man heaved a sigh as he urged the vulgar man.
「Always messing up the best moments, aren’t you a hasty one. She’s a special princess. Killing her in a normal way won’t be fun. Moreover, isn’t she more useful if we keep her alive like this? 」
The vulgar man said so while glancing at Flora.
Hearing that, Flora trembled. The vulgar man sneered when he saw Flora’s reaction and then――,
「Hahaha, your highness. You just thought that you don’t want to die now if possible right? Well you can feel relieved. 」
He said so with a delighted face.
「……」
Flora remained silent as that vulgar man kept talking as if he could read her heart. Her feelings became complicated with 20% frustration and 80% fear as she averted her gaze from that vulgar man.
「Oh my, will you please stop teasing her like that.」
The vulgar man shrugged his shoulders after being toldso. And now, when he stood right before Flora――、
「You’re not going to use your self-protection magic? 」
He asked so to Flora as he drew a jet-black sword from the scabbard on his waist.
「U~h…………….」
Though Flora was about to move her hand, she stopped immediately.
Though she was hesitant to fire offensive magic towards a human, it was not like she hadn’t considered the possibility of her opponent countering with another magic. The man was too wide open and she had already entered his range. He might kill her the moment she tries to chant the spell.
「Oh look, so kind aren’t you. Why are you being so merciful to this sinful man? 」
The vulgar man asked so in a humorous tone, being fully aware that he was completely in a dominate position.
（Even though he can kill me whenever he wants, he’s toying with my life. This person………….）
As expected, Flora was aware that the vulgar man was making a light of her. And then, since she’s going to die anyway. That’s why――,
「………….. I have no reason to do so. If you want to kill me, then feel free to do so. But, swear that you won’t harm the other people. If you do not do so then, I’ll resist.」
Flora showed her own will to at least not back off from that man. With her hand held aloft towards the man, she stepped back slowly.
Hearing that, the vulgar man stared at her with a surprised face. And then, as if there no distance between him and Flora――、
「…………… Kuhahaha, don’t tell me that you’re still worrying about the life of the crew even at this point. No, should I say that it’s my fault for underestimating you. And here I was expecting you to beg us to spare your life」
He told her so as if admiring her while letting out such a strange laugh.
「…………. W-What are you laughing for? 」
Flora who couldn’t understand what the man in front of her was thinking took another step back.
「No, it’s nothing. It’s just a little………… No, I’m really interested in knowing what kind of human you are, my curiosity almost drove me crazy. Killing you just like this won’t be entertaining at all.」
And then, after the vulgar man said so――、
「Wait a minute――」
The polite man tried to say something with a flustered voice. But the vulgar man gave his command with his hand and the polite man could only heave a sigh.
「……….. If that was the case, please leave now.」
Flora made her demand as if throwing it on their face while looking at them. But――,
「Unfortunately we can’t do that. But if you come with us obediently, we might spare the life of the remaining crew.」
The vulgar man showed a regretful face and yet accepted half of Flora’s demand. And then, he took out a red crystal almost as big as a fist from his bosom pocket.
「…………………. Really? 」
Flora looked at the vulgar man with a suspicious gaze.
「Yeah, I swear.」
The vulgar man nodded without a shred of hestitation. But――,
「……… To be honest, I can’t trust your words.」
Flora didn’t have a shred of trust towards the man in front of her. In the first place, they might really kill the other crew members.
(What should I do?)
Various expressions appeared on her face as her head worked hard to think about her own situation.
「Hahaha. Well then, what should I do then? What can you offer in your current position? Whether you’re going to trust me or not is your own choice but, the lives of the crew including the ones in the other magic ships is inn my hand. If you do not agree here, I really am going to kill you this time. Since you seem troubled by it, I’ll give you 3 seconds. If you’re not going to make a decision, I’ll kill you for sure. 3, 2――」
「U-Understood. Wait, please wait a minute! I believe you! That’s why, please…………. Promise me.」
Flora agreed in panic as the vulgar man almost finished his countdown. She had no choice but to agree even if she knew the end result. Thereupon――,
「Yeah, I promise. To save the lives of the crew.」
The vulgar man gave his promise with a clear voice.
「…………. Thank you very much.」
Flora said her gratitude and slowly lowered her hands. And then with her head down waited for her own doom. That vulgar man might break his promise but, she was sure that man will definitely break his promise if she resisted.
「Hahaha, truly a noble person. Well then, allow me to give you something special as an extra to show my respect to you. If you’re lucky, you might come out of this situation alive you know? 」
「Ex………… Tra? 」
Flora showed a puzzled expression as the man laughed in a good mood. In the next moment――、
「This is what I mean. 《Teleport》.」
The vulgar man tossed the red crystal towards Flora. And then followed it by chanting the aria for space magic. Right at that moment, the space around the crystal warped――,
「 ……Eh? 」
Flora who was still puzzled by that situation vanished from that place.
「…………… Poor thing. She’ll die a more comfortable death if she hadn’t attracted your attention. Where did you send her to? 」
The polite man asked with a rigid tone.
「She might be around the forest in the north of Paladia kingdom? 」
The vulgar man replied with a nonchalant tone.
「Paladia kingdom………… That kingdom is right in the middle of the war zone that my kingdom is supporting right. Her being alone aside, you even sent the princess of Bertram kingdom right in front of her kingdom’s enemy.」
「It should be a good experience for her in exchange for a pleasant death right? Aren’t you also curious about what kind of look she will show us in our next meeting?」
The polite man shrugged his shoulders with a disappointed expression as the vulgar man look like he was desperately trying to hold back his laughter.
「It’s because of that bad taste of yours that you keep making more enemies.」
「The grudge from human is a spice of life don’t you think so. Well then, there’s nothing left to do in this place right. Let’s deal with the rest of them. Call THAT right now.」
「Naturally I would do so but, didn’t you make a promise to spare the life of the crew? 」
「Oioi, I never said that I was going to spare all of them. Weren’t we going to spare one ship from the very beginning? 」
「I see. Well then, let’s go back after I call THAT.」
After saying so, the polite man turned around.
「Ah come to think of it, you just said something interesting a while ago. What about the one who knew about me?」
The vulgar man also followed the polite man and asked that question as if he had just remembered.
「Yeah, an extremely powerful person. Even the combination of Arein-tachi couldn’t make him break a sweat. I also fought him once before and yet, even I couldn’t put a scratch on him. The worst of all, he’s contracted to a human type spirit.」[TL : Rio, You sound more and more like ZGMF X20A – Strike Freedom now Rio, unscathtched till the end.]
「…….. Hou, sounds like an extremely interesting guy. Where is he right now? 」
「Last time he was with the first princess of Bertram kingdom but, as for now I don’t know where is he. Since he knows about my official standing and I fed him with the information that he might find you in the north, he might already be on the way to the north.」
「I see…………….. Well, I also wanted to see our escaped princess. How about we heading to Paladia first. Well if he’s really looking for me, he might come to find me in Paladia.」
「Well then, since I have some business in Rubia kingdom, we will go together till the middle of the way」
And such a conversation unfolded between them as if they were taking a stroll in the park.
And then, a few minutes later, a dragon-like beast raided the fleet. The escort fleet and magic ship, everyone one of those ships were annihilated save for one.
Chapter 141
Galwark kingdom Royal castle. Rio-tachi had boarded Liselotte’s magic ship which was about to leave Rodania, the territory of marquis Rodan in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, the hero, Sakata Hiroaki was attending a tea party held by Lizzet Gregory―― Daughter of duke Gregory, one of the great nobles of Galwark kingdom.
The participants of that tea party was naturally Lizzet, her circle of friends, Hiroaki who was invited as the main guest, Flora who became his fiancee just a few days ago and Roana Fontaine who had come as their attendant. In short, Hiroaki was the sole male participant. When the tea party began after the standard greetings――、
「I heard about that news. About Hiroaki-sama getting engaged to Flora-sama. Congratulations.」
Lizzet Gregory offered her congratulations to Flora and Hiroaki. Thereupon, the other noble girls also said 「Congratulations」 after her.
「Ah. T-Thank you I guess.」
Hiroaki scratched his head slightly embarrassed though it did not look like he hated it. Flora on the other hand bowed elegantly in response to their words.
「It must be wonderful for you to get the status as the legal wife of the hero. I have no doubt that Flora-sama’s name will go down in the annals of history, don’t you think so? How wonderful it must be.」
Lizzet was giving empty praises to Flora and Hiroaki. Then,
「But, well, I hate the expression such as concubine and legal wife you see.」
Hiroaki shook his head in a pompous way.
「Oh my, why do you feel that way I wonder? 」
Lizzet asked that question with an extremely interested face.
「I mean, it means that I have put an order of importance to my women right? I wish for equality and won’t bind them by a number. Those kinds of rules, social positions and such things are troublesome you see. It’s suffocating and unbearable for me.」[Bru: as if he knows about what he is talking about. This guy…][TL : Poor Lyle]
「Well. Does that mean that the women who marry Hiroaki-sama can enjoy equal treatment? A philanthropist aren’t you?」
「Uhm, well it should be slightly different from a Philanthropist. I just hate rules that will bind my freedom. The bad relationship between the legal wife and the second wife is a common occurence in the house of royalties and great nobilities right? I hate such things you see. Making a faction within and fighting for the attention of their husband. And in the end, it’s the outsiders who suffer from it, or should I say their husbands will be the one to suffer from it.」
And thus, after Hiroaki had made a long speech regarding how he hated such troublesome situations――、
「I see. This humble one has finally grasped a bit of Hiroaki-sama’s disposition.」
Lizzet smiled like a flower in full bloom as she told Hiroaki.
「Hou. I’m interested in your opinion about me.」
Hiroaki flashed a daring smile as he looked at such a Lizzet.
「Fufufufu. Even so, since it’ll be embarrassing for me if it turns out that I’m wrong, I want to know a bit more about Hiroaki-sama. Would you be so kind to tell me more about yourself? 」
Lizzet flashed an embarassed smile and looked at Hiroaki with upturned eyes. And that took Hiroaki’s mood to the seventh heaven. [Bru: imagine him on drugs XD][TL : He’s done for XD]
「Well then I won’t hold back since you have gone to such lengths to prepare this place. I want everyone here to hear about my story.」[Bru: wow…][TL :……]
「The girls at this place would be more than grateful to have that chance. Right? 」
Lizzet was smiling from ear to ear as she looked at the other noble girls in that place. Hearing that, those noble girls nodded slightly, embarrassed.
「Well then, listen to my story.」
The atmosphere did not feel wrong for Hiroaki.
After that, the tea party turned into a lively conversation and ended right before dusk. But then, they decided to hold another tea party three days later as his story was yet to end.
◇ ◇ ◇
Then, after the tea party, Hiroaki-tachi returned to their assigned rooms inside of the castle.
「U-Uhm, Hiroaki-sama.」
Flora called to Hiroaki with a timid voice.
「hn, what’s matter? 」
Hiroaki looked at Flora with a delighted face but――、
「We’re going to Rodania tomorrow, to meet my big sister right? And yet you said that you’ll attend the tea party which will be held three days later……..」
Flora said so while taking a peek at Hiroaki’s face.
They were going to leave the royal capital of Galwark kingdom tomorrow and so returning three days later back to Galwark kingdom’s royal capital was just too tight on their schedule. Though they were yet to know as to what would happen over there. Even If there was nothing there to hinder them from returning three days later, It wasn’t a simple matter for Flora to adjust her schedule. But then, she did not say that due to her meek nature.
「Hn, Ah, you’re right. I see, I just remembered it now.」
Hiroaki nodded as if he had just recalled those matters and scratched his head in an awkward manner.
「J-Just remembered it you say…………」
Flora seemingly hestitated to say something.
It had been a few days since Flora received news about Christina. Though she herself wanted to go to Christina as soon as she heard the news,she couldn’t do so due to Hiroaki’s participation in today’s tea party and she did not want to pour cold water over him. So, she could only hold back her own feelings and wait for the end of today’s tea party.
Naturally though the situation was explained, she hadn’t explained the whole thing in detail as Hiroaki hated being forced like that. But then, as a result, Hiroaki might did not pay attention to these matters. “Should I try to confirm it a bit more?” Flora thought so. At that time――,
「Uhn, should I really go there? It’s true that I heard the talk. I never said that we were going to go together right? 」
Hiroaki asked so, sounding annoyed.
「……Yes. You, are not obliged………… To go.」
Flora spoke softly in a weak tone. Naturally, despite her wanting them to go together, all of this was because she had never said her intentions clearly.
「Since there’s no urgency, your oneesan would be coming to visit us first right? In that case, she’ll meet me. Well, since I know your feeling of wanting to meet your sister, I guess you should go to Rodania. I’ll be okay with Roana here with me.」
After making such an excuse, Hiroaki glanced at Roana who was listening to their conversation in silence.
「……Yes. Please allow me to assist Hiroaki-sama here, Flora-sama.」
Despite the slight hestitation, Roana nodded immediately.
「I…………. Understand. Well then, please help me take care of Hiroaki-sama, Roana.」
Flora said so with a slightly disapointed tone. If she had known that things were going to turn out like this then she would have just gone to met her sister as soon as possible from the very beginning was something she did not say. Thereupon――,
「Oh my………………. Good day.」
They came across the hero of Galwark kingdom, Sumeragi Satsuki on their way back. Though Satsuki was walking in the passage while wiping her perspiration, she stopped to greet them once she saw them.
「Satsuki-sama.」
Flora and Roana bowed respectfully in seeing Satsuki.
On the other hand, when Hiroaki noticed Satsuki――、
「Ah, you. Why are you holding that spear? Are you coming back from your training? 」
He asked so while looking at Satsuki.
「Yeah, so I am.」
Satsuki bowed lightly to him in respect as he was older than her, though the reply was with a stiff tone.
「Fu~hn. Even though you’re a woman, you like to do such troublesome things huh?」
「………….. My apologies, my freedom is limited after all. My body will become dull if I only stayed inside of my room.」
Though Satsuki felt that there another hidden meaning in his words, she ignored it and responded accordingly. Even if both of them knew each other due to their hero status , there was a delicate sense of distance between them as they were nothing more than people from the same country.
「O~h, quite a tomboy aren’t you?」[Bru:…][TL: Suush….]
「So, did you attent another meeting with women today too? It seems I passed them a while ago.」[Bru: Yes! Smack him while you are at it.][TL : Can’t do that]
「Ah. Well, they were swarming around me after all. You might say that this is also one of the jobs of a hero. It’s just as you say, even a hero will tire from moving about like that.」[Bru: weak. And BS]
Hiroaki said so while heaving a sigh.
「All I can see is the fact that you’re enjoying this though………」[Bru: oh snap.]
Satsuki looked at Hiroaki with a puzzled face. Hearing that――,
「Oioi, I’m just a normal youth born and raised in Japan you know? I do have some resistance to building a harem, I do have your average problems too.」[Bru: add delusional before youth…][TL : Yeah…. The author should add “delusional”]
Hiroaki heaved a sigh with a tired face and yet a grin appeared on his face.
「He~…………………」
「Come to think of it, how about you try to learn from the noble girls in this world, you should try to act more lady-like shouldn’t you? I mean it’ll take a lot of effort to be more lady-like. Don’t you know that egoistic women are disliked whether on earth or in this world? 」[Bru: hit him. Smack him!!! Kick his ass!!!]
「Shut up. That’s sexual harassment」[Bru: yes! finally someone tells him to shut up]
Satsuki whispered in a low voice.
「HA~H？ 」
Hiroaki squinted his eyes as if he had noticed something.
「It’s nothing, well thanks for the advice. See you later. You guys too, Flora-san, Roana-san.」
After flashing a sweet smile to Floa and Roana, Satsuki quickly left that place.
Though Flora and Roana saw her off as if fascinated by her――、
「Crap, what’s with this tingling sensation.」[Bru: oh was he hit by bloodlust?]
Hiroaki was the only one who was left wincing from that encounter and looked at the back of Satsuki.
◇ ◇ ◇
And the next day. Flora headed toward Rodania, leaving only Hiroaki and Roana in Galwark kingdom. After giving her formal greetings to king Francois, she left the royal capital along with the escort ships.
After their departure, as Flora had said that she wanted to be alone, she told the captain to inform her when they arrived at Rodania and secluded herself in the room reserved for noble guests――、
「I really am happy to meet my dear sister but……. does it mean that my dear father’s position has worsened? 」
She’s had a weary expression as she thought about her own family.
In the first place, the one who had sent her to escape along with duke Euguno was none other than her father, Phillip the third.
Phillip who had guessed the sudden change of situation, entrusted Flora who had the holy stone to duke Euguno. Though it was publicly announced that duke Euguno took her out from Bertram kingdom along with him―― The aim was to scatter the royalty who held the highest inheritance right for the crown in order to face the worst kind of situation that would rise.
When it came to that, the first in line to inherit the throne was Christina, thus, even someone as clueless as Flora could guess that something had happened to change the situation.
Nevertheless, no, should she say “As expected”, right now she was――,
「Faster, I want to meet oneechan soon.」
Flora wanted to meet Christina as soon as possible. It had been about half a year since the last time she had met her older sister. Flora who loved her older sister more than anyone else, truly cared for her older sister from the bottom of her heart.
「But, I wonder if she’s going to scold me then? 」
Flora muttered with an anxious voice―― About what her sister would do to her when she saw that Flora hadn’t matured at all after separating for half a year.
To be honest, she was a little scared to meet Christina under these conditions. Because she might be disappointed when her older sister sees her being led by her surroundings same as before, unable to do anything, or even just thinking about their kingdom. At that time――,
「Excuse me.」
With a “clank” the door opened along with that frivolous voice.
「Eh？ 」
Flora was taken back and looked at the door. Opening the door of the room where a royalty was staying in without knocking first was considered as more than just a slightly ill-mannered act.
And then, the ones who had entered the room were two men wearing a black robe with a hood to hide their faces.
「W-Who are you? Several knights should be standing on guard in front of my room…….」
Flora asked so with a trembling voice.
「Bodyguard? Are you referring to those useless chaps? 」
When one of men signalled to the other man with his chin――,
「Yes. ………… Here you….. GO.」
The other man carried two fainted knights from outside the room with a dissatisfied face.
「!!!!! ? 」
The surprised Flora stood from her sofa.
「Hahaha. You scared her. Well, is she the princess of Bertram? 」
The man with the frivolous voice laughed happily and asked the man who had carried those knights in.
「Yes, it’s her. Flora Bertram. The second princess.」
The man who had carried those knights in replied with a polite tone.
「I heard she was a beauty but, in the end she is just an inexperienced brat.」
The man with the frivolous voice appraised Flora with such vulgar language.
「Ho~. Isn’t it because many people actually prefer girls of her age? 」
「Hah, she’s way off from my preference.」
Thus, such a conversation unfolding between those two men as if they were completely ignoring Flora’s existence.
「Uuhm,………….」
Flora tried to ask those two people who were releasing such an atmosphere that betrayed the situation with a timid voice. But――,
「Well then, where’s the hero? 」
The man with the vulgar speech then asked the man with polite speech while surveying the room.
「He isn’t around I guess. I also can’t feel the reaction of his divine raiment.」
「CHEH, just when I thought that I was going to get the chance to fight a hero.」
After the man with the polite speech replied, the vulgar man clicked his lips disappointed by the current situation. The two of them completely ignored Flora.
「We cannot help but make such a ruckus, or rather it’s better this way but then……… When I’m with you, it always turns into these kind of situations. You just suddenly appeared and told me that I have a job to do.」
The vulgar man heaved a sigh with a lamenting face.
「It’s because your job was done faster than my expectation. I just came to take a look at your progress as your superior.」
「It’s because you always appear at the most unexpected moments in the most unexpected places. In the first place, it’s already questionable whenever you actually have jurisdiction over me. …….. Ah, come to think of it, I just recalled that I met someone who was looking for you right. And he seems to detest your very existence.」
Thus, when the polite man said so ――、
「Hou…………………」
The vulgar man finally showed an interested expression. Thereupon――,
「U-Uhm！ 」
As expected, Flora who was tired of waiting for them spoke in a much louder voice–For her own standard–To make them to notice her.
「HA~H？ 」
The vulgar man reacted to Flora’s voice with his warmonger face. Thereupon, though Flora’s body trembled in fear――、
「T-The ship crew will come after they hear my voice and notice the abnormal situation you know. N-No, remove your hood.」
She warned the two men with a trembling voice. Hearing that――,
「Fu……………… HAHAHAHAHAHA.」
The vulgar man started laughing as if he found that funny.
「W-Why are you laughing? Do you understand your current situation? 」
So Flora asked him, confused.
「We’re very much aware of the situation. Your highness second princess, Flora Bertram.」
The vulgar man replied with a different tone now.
「I-I’ll scream you know.」
「Oh, feel free to do so. There’s no need to confirm the situation at this kind of time.」
The vulgar man grinned widely as he said so.
「……………..Ah, H…………………..HEeelp! 」
Flora who felt that danger was coming for her shouted to the top of her lungs and yet, she her voice was barely audible. Naturally her scream would still be heard due the open door. And yet, ten seconds later. There were no signs of people approaching the room. Flora gazed anxiously at the opened door and yet, she only saw the two people from before in front of her.
「Do you believe me now, your highness? 」
The vulgar man asked with a polite tone as he approached Flora.
「S-Stop right there.」
Flora sounded as if she was about to cry.
「Why you don’t want me to approach you? Why? Naturally it’s because common people MUST hear your great noble order right? 」
The vulgar man showed an exaggerated curiousity as if mocking Flora.
「T-That’s………… What is your goal in the first place? 」
「Hahaha, quite a slowpoke aren’t you. To kill you of course.」
「To kill……………. Me? 」
Flora could feel that her heart had been beating faster by every passing moment since a while ago but now, she felt as if someone was grabbing her heart.
「Yes. To be exact, we’re going to make it look as if you died from an accident. It saved us a lot of trouble since you voluntarily left the castle. We’ll make as many accidents as possible for our own goal. ………………….. But then, as expected, we’ll be in a precarious situation. We dealt with every patrolling guard all the way to this room without making a ruckus.」
The vulgar man told her about their goal.
「No way………….. Y-You guys. Don’t tell me……………. Everyone in the vessel is? 」
Flora’s face turned pale as soon as she learned the situation.
「Ah, nonono, you got it wrong. We have left some of them alive. The operator of this magic ship has met their maker. Moreover, without anyone left to operate the magic ship, the other magic ships will soon notice the abnormal situation right? Nevertheless, don’t worry about them, they’re going to die soon anyway.」
Thus, the vulgar man replied clearly. Thereupon――,
「Can we finish this already? 」
The other man heaved a sigh as he urged the vulgar man.
「Always messing up the best moments, aren’t you a hasty one. She’s a special princess. Killing her in a normal way won’t be fun. Moreover, isn’t she more useful if we keep her alive like this? 」
The vulgar man said so while glancing at Flora.
Hearing that, Flora trembled. The vulgar man sneered when he saw Flora’s reaction and then――,
「Hahaha, your highness. You just thought that you don’t want to die now if possible right? Well you can feel relieved. 」
He said so with a delighted face.
「……」
Flora remained silent as that vulgar man kept talking as if he could read her heart. Her feelings became complicated with 20% frustration and 80% fear as she averted her gaze from that vulgar man.
「Oh my, will you please stop teasing her like that.」
The vulgar man shrugged his shoulders after being toldso. And now, when he stood right before Flora――、
「You’re not going to use your self-protection magic? 」
He asked so to Flora as he drew a jet-black sword from the scabbard on his waist.
「U~h…………….」
Though Flora was about to move her hand, she stopped immediately.
Though she was hesitant to fire offensive magic towards a human, it was not like she hadn’t considered the possibility of her opponent countering with another magic. The man was too wide open and she had already entered his range. He might kill her the moment she tries to chant the spell.
「Oh look, so kind aren’t you. Why are you being so merciful to this sinful man? 」
The vulgar man asked so in a humorous tone, being fully aware that he was completely in a dominate position.
（Even though he can kill me whenever he wants, he’s toying with my life. This person………….）
As expected, Flora was aware that the vulgar man was making a light of her. And then, since she’s going to die anyway. That’s why――,
「………….. I have no reason to do so. If you want to kill me, then feel free to do so. But, swear that you won’t harm the other people. If you do not do so then, I’ll resist.」
Flora showed her own will to at least not back off from that man. With her hand held aloft towards the man, she stepped back slowly.
Hearing that, the vulgar man stared at her with a surprised face. And then, as if there no distance between him and Flora――、
「…………… Kuhahaha, don’t tell me that you’re still worrying about the life of the crew even at this point. No, should I say that it’s my fault for underestimating you. And here I was expecting you to beg us to spare your life」
He told her so as if admiring her while letting out such a strange laugh.
「…………. W-What are you laughing for? 」
Flora who couldn’t understand what the man in front of her was thinking took another step back.
「No, it’s nothing. It’s just a little………… No, I’m really interested in knowing what kind of human you are, my curiosity almost drove me crazy. Killing you just like this won’t be entertaining at all.」
And then, after the vulgar man said so――、
「Wait a minute――」
The polite man tried to say something with a flustered voice. But the vulgar man gave his command with his hand and the polite man could only heave a sigh.
「……….. If that was the case, please leave now.」
Flora made her demand as if throwing it on their face while looking at them. But――,
「Unfortunately we can’t do that. But if you come with us obediently, we might spare the life of the remaining crew.」
The vulgar man showed a regretful face and yet accepted half of Flora’s demand. And then, he took out a red crystal almost as big as a fist from his bosom pocket.
「…………………. Really? 」
Flora looked at the vulgar man with a suspicious gaze.
「Yeah, I swear.」
The vulgar man nodded without a shred of hestitation. But――,
「……… To be honest, I can’t trust your words.」
Flora didn’t have a shred of trust towards the man in front of her. In the first place, they might really kill the other crew members.
(What should I do?)
Various expressions appeared on her face as her head worked hard to think about her own situation.
「Hahaha. Well then, what should I do then? What can you offer in your current position? Whether you’re going to trust me or not is your own choice but, the lives of the crew including the ones in the other magic ships is inn my hand. If you do not agree here, I really am going to kill you this time. Since you seem troubled by it, I’ll give you 3 seconds. If you’re not going to make a decision, I’ll kill you for sure. 3, 2――」
「U-Understood. Wait, please wait a minute! I believe you! That’s why, please…………. Promise me.」
Flora agreed in panic as the vulgar man almost finished his countdown. She had no choice but to agree even if she knew the end result. Thereupon――,
「Yeah, I promise. To save the lives of the crew.」
The vulgar man gave his promise with a clear voice.
「…………. Thank you very much.」
Flora said her gratitude and slowly lowered her hands. And then with her head down waited for her own doom. That vulgar man might break his promise but, she was sure that man will definitely break his promise if she resisted.
「Hahaha, truly a noble person. Well then, allow me to give you something special as an extra to show my respect to you. If you’re lucky, you might come out of this situation alive you know? 」
「Ex………… Tra? 」
Flora showed a puzzled expression as the man laughed in a good mood. In the next moment――、
「This is what I mean. 《Teleport》.」
The vulgar man tossed the red crystal towards Flora. And then followed it by chanting the aria for space magic. Right at that moment, the space around the crystal warped――,
「 ……Eh? 」
Flora who was still puzzled by that situation vanished from that place.
「…………… Poor thing. She’ll die a more comfortable death if she hadn’t attracted your attention. Where did you send her to? 」
The polite man asked with a rigid tone.
「She might be around the forest in the north of Paladia kingdom? 」
The vulgar man replied with a nonchalant tone.
「Paladia kingdom………… That kingdom is right in the middle of the war zone that my kingdom is supporting right. Her being alone aside, you even sent the princess of Bertram kingdom right in front of her kingdom’s enemy.」
「It should be a good experience for her in exchange for a pleasant death right? Aren’t you also curious about what kind of look she will show us in our next meeting?」
The polite man shrugged his shoulders with a disappointed expression as the vulgar man look like he was desperately trying to hold back his laughter.
「It’s because of that bad taste of yours that you keep making more enemies.」
「The grudge from human is a spice of life don’t you think so. Well then, there’s nothing left to do in this place right. Let’s deal with the rest of them. Call THAT right now.」
「Naturally I would do so but, didn’t you make a promise to spare the life of the crew? 」
「Oioi, I never said that I was going to spare all of them. Weren’t we going to spare one ship from the very beginning? 」
「I see. Well then, let’s go back after I call THAT.」
After saying so, the polite man turned around.
「Ah come to think of it, you just said something interesting a while ago. What about the one who knew about me?」
The vulgar man also followed the polite man and asked that question as if he had just remembered.
「Yeah, an extremely powerful person. Even the combination of Arein-tachi couldn’t make him break a sweat. I also fought him once before and yet, even I couldn’t put a scratch on him. The worst of all, he’s contracted to a human type spirit.」[TL : Rio, You sound more and more like ZGMF X20A – Strike Freedom now Rio, unscathtched till the end.]
「…….. Hou, sounds like an extremely interesting guy. Where is he right now? 」
「Last time he was with the first princess of Bertram kingdom but, as for now I don’t know where is he. Since he knows about my official standing and I fed him with the information that he might find you in the north, he might already be on the way to the north.」
「I see…………….. Well, I also wanted to see our escaped princess. How about we heading to Paladia first. Well if he’s really looking for me, he might come to find me in Paladia.」
「Well then, since I have some business in Rubia kingdom, we will go together till the middle of the way」
And such a conversation unfolded between them as if they were taking a stroll in the park.
And then, a few minutes later, a dragon-like beast raided the fleet. The escort fleet and magic ship, everyone one of those ships were annihilated save for one.
